Michelle Heizenrader

Visitation:
Friday, June 27, 2003
7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

Wayne Boze Funeral Home`
1826 W. Hwy. 287 Bus.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Saturday, June 28, 2003
9:30 AM

Graveside--Waxahachie City Cemetery
Waxahachie, TX 75165



Michelle O'Daniel Jenkins Heizenrader, age 31
December 16, 1971
June 25, 2003

Meredith Michelle O'Daniel Jenkins-Heizenrader was born December 16, 1971 in
Waxahachie, Texas. She was called to be with God on June 25, 2003 at Parkland
Hospital in Dallas, at the age of 31.

She is survived by: husband, Todd Heizenrader of Dallas; parents, Raymond Michael
O'Daniel of Lancaster and Beverly Berry O'Daniel of Waxahachie; children, Jacob
Bryan Jenkins and Jacy Linda Jenkins of Waxahachie; sister and brother-in-law Lindsey and Clifton Browning of Trophy Club; maternal grandfather Charles Berry of Cedar Creek; paternal grandfather Raymond "Buck" O'Daniel of Waxahachie; aunts, Jamie Klein of Plano and Marcia O'Daniel of Waxahachie; uncle Jim Klein of Plano; and cousins, Kyle Reed of Waxahachie, Sarah and Noah Masterson of Sequin, Ashley Klein of Tuscon, and Andrew Klein of Plano. She was preceded in death by maternal grandmother Dorothy Berry and paternal grandmother Clavenia O'Daniel.

At the age of 10, Michelle was baptized into First Baptist Church of Waxahachie. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1990 and attended the University of North Texas. She became a certified court reporter in 1997.

Michelle was an avid reader who reveled in literature, language, and the arts. She first came to love books as a toddler, spending many hours with books in the lap of her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Berry. Michelle adored libraries and could spend countless hours hunkered down with a good book. In elementary school she began prolific writing, producing plays and stories, and writing many letters to her grandparents, cousins, and friends. Favorite teachers encouraged Michelle's passion for learning and language---including kindergarten teacher Linda McCrady who had Michelle reading within a few hours, and junior high teacher Jodi Hunter, who taught Michelle art, history, calligraphy, and literature. Teacher Mary Ellen Dale inspired Michelle with literature and art, as did senior English teacher Wanda Cain. Michelle loved learning, and was a bright and intellectually curious student.

Michelle also loved music and was a gifted pianist. She flourished under the teaching of Mrs. Wilma Dorsey, who shared her passion for classical music. For years, Michelle and her mother Beverly shared a special Christmas Eve tradition of playing piano duets together at church services. Her grandparents and extended family loved to hear Michelle play, especially alongside her mother. Her sister and cousins also loved to perform with Michelle during their growing up years, producing many a holiday pageant or special performance during family gatherings.

Michelle was an intensely proud and loving mother to her two young children, sharing with them her love of music and books-as well as her love for animals. Michelle had a lifelong love of cats in particular, and had a special way with her pets, who were naturally drawn to her.

All her life, Michelle had an infectious smile and a mischievous, happy laughter that will never be forgotten by her family and friends. Her gentleness, humor, love of family, and passion for life will be remembered always as she lives in our hearts.

Visitation with the family is set for Friday from 7 to 9 PM at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. A celebration of Michelle's life is set for Saturday morning at 9:30 AM, graveside at Waxahachie City Cemetery in Waxahachie. Honorary Pallbearers will include uncle Jim Klein, brother-in-law Clifton Browning, and family friends Justin McLemore, John Todd, and Barry Morguloff.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Waxahachie Public Library for the purchase of new books, or to the literacy or arts organization of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home.
Please sign our guest register at waynebozefuneralhome.com